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Whether you're lighting a front door, making your garden more usable in the evenings or adding extra security around your home, exterior lighting is one of those upgrades that can make an immediate difference.

The overall cost depends on the type of lighting you choose, whether there's an existing electrical supply nearby and how much wiring is involved.

This guide explains typical installation costs for exterior lights, what affects the price and when it's worth hiring a qualified electrician.

Average cost to install exterior lights

If you're connecting a new light to an existing circuit, most installations are relatively straightforward.

More complex projects, such as garden lighting schemes or new electrical circuits, will cost more.

The table below shows typical labour costs for common exterior lighting projects.

Most prices above cover labour only unless otherwise stated. If your installation needs a new circuit from the consumer unit, you'll also need to budget for additional cabling, connection work and certification.

Get a quote for exterior lighting installation

The easiest way to understand what your project is likely to cost is to compare a selection of quotes from qualified electricians working in your area.

Whether you're fitting a single wall light or planning a complete garden lighting scheme, providing as much detail as possible will help you receive more accurate quotes.

Types of exterior lighting and installation costs

The type of lighting you choose has one of the biggest influences on installation costs.

Exterior wall lights

Wall-mounted lights are one of the most common outdoor lighting choices. Installed on an existing circuit, they typically cost around £125 to fit and work well beside front doors, garages and side entrances.

Garden lighting

Garden lighting often involves underground cabling, transformers or multiple fittings, so it's usually a little more involved than fitting a single wall light.

A professionally installed low-voltage garden lighting system typically costs around £175, while installing 10 LED garden lights with underground cabling averages around £400.

Post lights are freestanding lights on a post or spike, used along driveways or garden paths. They need a buried cable run from the house, which adds to the installation cost.

Decking and soffit lighting

Decking and soffit lights are recessed into the underside of your roof overhang or into the decking boards, to create discreet lighting around your outside space.

As an example, the average cost to install a series of soffit lights is around £400. This includes cabling, installation and testing.

Outdoor security lighting

Security lights remain one of the most cost-effective ways to improve visibility around your home.

Expect to pay around £175 to install a standard PIR security light connected to your existing electrical supply.

Solar-powered lighting

Professionally installed solar-powered garden lighting systems are generally priced similarly to low-voltage systems because much of the cost is still in the planning, positioning and installation.

Simple solar stake lights that don't need wiring are widely available and can usually be installed yourself.

What is involved in installing garden lights?

A professional installation is about much more than simply fixing lights to a wall.

Depending on your project, your electrician may need to:

• Plan the lighting layout

• Install underground armoured cable where required (this must be used and buried at the correct depth to comply with IET Wiring Regulations)

• Connect to an existing circuit or install a new one

• Fit transformers for extra low voltage (ELV) systems

• Install and test each light fitting

• Complete the necessary electrical testing before the work is finished

If you're planning a larger garden project, spending a little longer getting the lighting layout right often pays off, as moving cables later can be much more expensive.

What affects the cost of installing exterior lights?

No two installations are exactly the same. The biggest factors affecting cost are:

• Number of lights being installed

• Existing circuit or new electrical circuit

• Length of cable run

• Ease of access

• Type of light fitting

• Smart controls or PIR sensors

• Whether your quote includes labour only or supply and installation

• Any making good after installation

Long cable runs and difficult access are often the two biggest reasons quotes vary between properties.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Outdoor lighting installation hourly rates

For straightforward jobs, such as adding one or two lights to an existing circuit, an electrician may just charge by the hour rather than providing a fixed project price.

Typical electrician labour rates are around £45–£60 per hour, although larger installations are often quoted as a complete project.

Our guide to electrician hourly rates has more detailed cost information.

Additional outdoor lighting costs

When planning your budget, it's worth allowing for a few extras that may not be included in the initial quote.

These can include:

• Digital controls, timers or smart lighting systems

• Making good around drilled holes or cable entry points

• Surface-mounted trunking or conduit

• Armoured cable for underground runs

• A new weatherproof outdoor socket

If you're adding an outdoor socket at the same time, expect to pay around £130–£200+ for a single socket, or £200+ for a double socket. Our outdoor socket installation cost guide explains the costs in more detail.

What is Extra Low Voltage (ELV) power?

Some garden lighting systems run on Extra Low Voltage (ELV), typically 12V or 24V, rather than the 230V mains supply.

ELV systems use a transformer plugged into an outdoor socket, which then feeds the garden lights.

Because the cable itself carries low voltage, installation is simpler and the risk of electric shock is lower.

ELV systems are popular for path lights and deck lighting, but they can't power higher-wattage floodlights or soffit lights that need mains voltage.

Should I install my exterior lights myself?

If your lighting connects to your home's mains electricity, it's usually best to leave the work to a qualified electrician.

New circuits and some outdoor electrical work fall under Part P building regulations, so the installation may need to be tested and certified.

The exception is simple solar-powered garden lights that don't connect to the mains. These are designed for DIY installation and can usually be positioned wherever you need them.

Exterior lighting installation cost calculator

Use our cost calculator to estimate what your exterior lighting project is likely to cost.

You'll need to think about the type of lighting you'd like installed, how many light fittings you need, whether an existing circuit can be used, and whether any additional wiring or controls are required.

Job Estimate Calculator

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This calculator provides a guide price only. For an accurate cost, compare a selection of quotes from qualified electricians working in your area.

Exterior lighting installation cost checklist

Before requesting quotes:

• Decide where you'd like your exterior lights installed

• Choose the type of lighting that best suits your home

• Check whether an existing outdoor circuit can be used

• Think about whether you'd like timers, PIR sensors or smart controls

• Compare a selection of quotes from qualified electricians

• Check exactly what's included in each quotation

Every Checkatrade job is backed by our £1,000 guarantee

Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

Find a qualified electrician for your exterior lighting project

Finding a qualified electrician through Checkatrade is straightforward.

When requesting quotes, it helps to include:

• The type and number of lights you'd like installed

• Whether you're connecting to an existing circuit or need a new one

• Whether you'd like timers, smart controls or PIR security lighting

• Whether you'd like labour only or supply and installation

• Any access issues around your property

Comparing a selection of quotes from qualified electricians working in your area is the easiest way to understand what's included and choose the right installer for your project.

Exterior lights installation FAQs

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